With the average conventional birth costing over $2,600 for mothers with insurance and nearly $15,000 for mothers without insurance, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Best & Worst States to Have a Baby, as well as expert commentary.
To determine the most ideal places in the U.S. for parents and their newborns, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 31 key measures of cost, health care accessibility and baby-friendliness. The data set ranges from hospital conventional-delivery charges to annual average infant-care costs to pediatricians per capita.
| Best States to Have a Baby | Worst States to Have a Baby |
| 1. Massachusetts | 42. Florida |
| 2. Minnesota | 43. Nevada |
| 3. Vermont | 44. Oklahoma |
| 4. Rhode Island | 45. Arkansas |
| 5. North Dakota | 46. Georgia |
| 6. New Hampshire | 47. West Virginia |
| 7. Iowa | 48. Louisiana |
| 8. Utah | 49. South Carolina |
| 9. Connecticut | 50. Alabama |
| 10. Washington | 51. Mississippi |
Best vs. Worst
- Mississippi has the lowest average annual cost for early child care, $5,287, which is 3.2 times lower than in the District of Columbia, the highest at $16,811.
- North Dakota has the lowest share of childbirths with low birth weight, 6.65 percent, which is 1.9 times lower than in Mississippi, the highest at 12.34 percent.
- Delaware has the most obstetricians and gynecologists (per 100,000 residents), 15, which is 7.5 times more than in Louisiana, the fewest at 2.
- Massachusetts has the highest parental leave policy score, 160, while 9 states, such as Alabama, Michigan and South Dakota, tie for the lowest at 0.
To view the full report and your state or the District’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/
More from WalletHub
- Best & Worst States to Raise a Family
- Best & Worst States for Children’s Health Care
- Best & Worst States for Working Moms
- Best & Worst States for Working Dads
Expert Commentary
When planning to have a child, what financial considerations should be taken into account?
“Choosing to have a child involves financial needs, of course, and couples can benefit as they plan thoughtfully for how they can adjust to those needs. Potential financial considerations associated with raising a young child can include the cost of child care in one's area, perhaps a more limited income if a parent works less due to caring for a child, and basic child care essentials such as diapers or other supplies used in raising a baby. Also, there are likely to be medical costs associated with a child's birth that individuals or couples need to think about and save for as they make money decisions.”
Sean E. Brotherson – Professor & Extension Family Science Specialist, North Dakota State University
“There are several financial considerations to make when planning to have a child, as financial stability is important. Examining household income and expenses is the first step; creating a spending plan takes it to the next level. Adjustments to spending and efforts to save money will have a positive impact on finances. Having a clear understanding of what it costs to raise a child is another consideration. Once the decision is made to have a child, these considerations should remain in place and be adjusted as financial demands shift as the child gets older.”
Laura Bloom, Ph.D., CFLE – Associate Professor; Faculty Director, Child Study Center; Director, Certified Family Life Education Program, University of Montevallo
What is the biggest financial mistake that prospective parents make?
“The largest financial mistake that prospective parents often make is similar to a general financial mistake common to most people – lack of budgeting and planning for potential expenses. If you are planning to have a child, set up a specific account and begin saving money actively toward covering the costs of a child's birth, needed supplies, or medical care. Financial preparation and planning can make this transition much less stressful and more pleasant.”
Sean E. Brotherson – Professor & Extension Family Science Specialist, North Dakota State University
“One of the biggest financial mistakes prospective parents make is not financially planning ahead. Medical expenses, diapers, wipes, equipment, food, childcare, and more add up quickly. Without proper planning, families can become financially overwhelmed in a short amount of time.”
Laura Bloom, Ph.D., CFLE – Associate Professor; Faculty Director, Child Study Center; Director, Certified Family Life Education Program, University of Montevallo
What can local authorities do to make their cities more baby-friendly?
“Raising children in child- and family-friendly environments tends to be a high priority for prospective parents, and local authorities who wish to attract such residents ought to consider how their towns or cities can be adapted to be supportive of families raising young children. Investments in a child-friendly environment typically would include the establishment of parks, playgrounds, and other spaces for children to play and families to recreate; support of child safety efforts such as clean water, clean air, and local safety codes and practices; and efforts to increase the availability and affordability of quality child care options in the community. Additionally, a robust early childhood system with options for child care, preschool, early intervention, parent education, and other supports shows positive results not just for child well-being but for the long-term development of the local workforce and community.”
Sean E. Brotherson – Professor & Extension Family Science Specialist, North Dakota State University
“Ensuring that there is affordable housing, affordable quality child care and schools, ample family-friendly activities, and plentiful employment options for parents are critical to making a city more baby-friendly.”
Laura Bloom, Ph.D., CFLE – Associate Professor; Faculty Director, Child Study Center; Director, Certified Family Life Education Program, University of Montevallo
No comments:
Post a Comment